Analysis: Shrewsbury must not be disheartened by Leyton Orient defeat

It would be easy to look at the game in east London in isolation as Town lost 1-0 thanks to Jamie Donley's goal. 

In the second half of that clash, Orient were quite clearly the better team and if anything a one-goal margin was slightly flattering for Gareth Ainsworth's men. 

But it was just one bad half in a largely positive period for the team by recent comparison. 

Before the break and for the four matches they had played over the festive period Town had gone unbeaten. 

They have not only looked more solid, resolute and organised, but they have reduced the number of goals conceded. 

Back in December, there were three certainties in life. Death, taxes and Salop conceding at least two goals in a League One match.

From the middle of October to the middle of December they did exactly that in all but one of the 11 matches they played. 

The outlier was away at Bristol Rovers - which was still a game Town came out on the wrong side of the result in. 

And the progress they have undoubtedly made under their new boss should not be tainted after they lost against the division's in-form side. 

Town were comfortably outplayed in the second half of their clash against Richie Wellens' team, who were very impressive on a bitterly cold day in London. 

But despite that, as the game went into four minutes of stoppages late on - there was still a chance Shrews could get something from the match. 

Those supporters who were at Cambridge and Wycombe - two games Salop lost 4-1 - will remember a lack of a contest being the major issue. 

Individual players are improving. Josh Feeney is unrecognisable at the heart of the Shrewsbury back three. 

The runs of games he has been given has added so much confidence to the Aston Villa loanee. 

Luca Hoole and Aaron Pierre, who have both had difficult afternoons at various stages in the season, have also demonstrated a consistent level of performance - helped by the fact they have picked the same back six for the last four matches running. 

It was the fifth and final game of the festive period, and you could see in the early stages both sets of players were mentally and physically jaded. 

Town did well in the first half. It was similar to the display we saw from Shrewsbury by the seaside against Blackpool on New Year's Day. 

In the opening 40 minutes, the two sides cancelled each other out, but the hosts had two big chances.

First, Ethan Galbraith beat Mal Benning on the Town right and then he forced Jamal Blackman into a smart save at his near post. 

At the other end, John Marquis could have nudged Town ahead when they threatened from a corner, but as it bounced around in the six-yard box, it was hooked away by an O's defender. 

The best chance of the opening 45 minutes came in stoppage time as Donley headed wide when he was completely unmarked eight yards out. 

Wellens' side came out rejuvenated after the break, and Charlie Kelman almost gave them the lead when he rounded Blackman, but he fired into the side netting. 

Blackman was involved again when Jordan Brown unleashed a shot more than 30 yards out, but the keeper pushed it away again. 

The Orient opener did come just after the hour mark, and it was deserved. 

Donley made the run forward, and when he was almost at the byline his strike towards goal beat Blackman at the near post.

Ainsworth made a triple substitution as Josh Kayode, George Lloyd, and Carl Winchester came on - the latter for his 500th career appearance. 

Town had picked up three draws and a win in their last four games, but that looked as if it was to come to an end this time out.

Kayode fired wide with Town's best chance of the second half, but Town looked more likely to fall further behind than to get back into it, and it ended 1-0.

Gareth Ainsworth confirmed after the match the Shrewsbury squad will now have some time off in the early part of the week. 

The period has been demanding, and there has also been sickness in the camp. 

Picking up six points from the five games they played over the period will be constituted a success, but Town need lower mid-table form from here on in if they are to stay in League One this season. 

Transfers have always been the lifeline, but from the way the boss talks about their potential business this month, it could be quiet, and it could go late - let's hope they are still in with a fighting chance by that point.